No tsunami alert as magnitude 7.7 quake hits off Northern MarianasJuly 30, 2016 - 09:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A strong but deep 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the Northern Mariana Islands in the western Pacific on Saturday, July 30, but triggered no tsunami alert, U.S. monitors said, according to AFP. The quake struck at a depth of 132 miles (212 kilometers) at 7:18 am local time (2118 GMT Friday) some 19 miles southwest of the island of Agrihan, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. No tsunami warning was issued. A self-governing commonwealth of the United States since 1976, the Northern Marianas consist of 15 islands, with more than 90 percent of the population of 54,000 living on the main island, Saipan. Only four other islands are populated. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |